Careers in Production

Looking for an entry level job or internship in production? This is an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have relevant entry level and internship opportunities.

Lately I’ve been frustrated by the radio on my commute to work. I hear the same songs over and over again– and I’m not even good at singing along with any of them. That’s why I was fascinated by an article from The New Yorker titled “The Song Machine The Hitmakers behind Rihanna”. As it turns out, a relatively small number of producers and top-liners create a disproportionately large share of contemporary hits (Top Forty radio) which helps explain why so many of them sound similar. Apparently in 2009, both Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson had hits (Beyoncé’s “Halo” and Clarkson’s “Already Gone”) that were created from the same track, by Ryan Tedder. To make these songs, the producer runs the session and serves as creative director of the song, while the top-liner works on the lyrics and hooks. Basically a Producer works to create a successful project, guiding the creative vision from start to finish.

What a Producer Does

A Producer handles business and financial matters involved in making a motion picture, television show, stage production or music and as such is often actively involved throughout all major phases of the process, from inception and development to completion and delivery of a project. A Film Producer oversees and creates a film project, working to preserve the integrity, voice, and vision of the film. Often times they will take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed. Many Film Producers are also talent (directors, screenwriters, actors) but that is not always the case. Other types of Producers include Record Producers (creates music) and Television Producers (that oversee the making of television programs).

A Typical Day for a Producer

While a typical day for a Producer might vary, it will probably include some of these tasks:

Coordinating the activities of writers, directors and managers

Budgeting, scheduling, planning, and marketing

Determining production schedules

Optioning a script and hiring a screenwriter to write the script

Finding the right director

Juggling script changes with the writer

Working out the breakdown of the script so that the script is shot in the most cost-effective order possible

Making phone calls and going to meetings trying to get investors involved in the project

Acting as a buffer between the studio and the director, keeping the studio updated on how the production is going, so that the director can do his job

Talking on the phone coordinating with the press regarding the project

Watching the dailies with the director to offer an objective point of view

Marketing the finished project including going to meetings and making calls

Negotiating contracts on tie-in memorabilia

Salary and Career Progression in Production

The average yearly salary for a Film/TV Producer ranges between $29,921 – $102,184. In 2009, TV Producer Producers earned a median annual salary of $66,720. The average yearly salary for a Music Producer ranges between $17,764 – $106,681. From there you could go on to become an Audio Engineer ($20,628 – $84,306 on average per year), a Producer/Director TV/Cable Broadcast ($25,107 – $98,364 on average per year), a Film/Video Editor ($23,387 – $97,330 on average per year), or an Executive Producer Television Productions ($39,288 – $193,470 on average per year).

Best Locations for Producers

These hot spots have the highest salaries for production:

New York, New York

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hollywood, California

Atlanta, Georgia

Raleigh, North Carolina

Nashville, Tennessee

Houston, Texas

Los Angeles, California

Miami, Florida

Phoenix, Arizona

Pros and Cons of Being a Producer

Pros

Get to exercise a creative vision

Fun to guide a project from start to finish

Work with a lot of different people

Cons

Lots of trying to keep different people happy

Can be stressful trying to maintain a budget without compromising the integrity of the project

Generally a hard field to break into

What You Need to Know for a Career in Production

While there are no specific educational requirements to work as a Producer, many employers require a bachelor’s degree, specifically in business or music production, depending upon what type of production you’d like to go into. If you’re trying to break into the entertainment industry, you might begin as an actor or writer. If you’re hoping to work in the video game or software development industries you might begin as a tester or programmer. Beyond that, you should start trying to get some experience. If you’re interested in being a Music Producer learn about analog and digital and set up your own studio. Offer to record your friends’ bands and create and hand-out a mix CD with a number of different kinds of recordings to expose people to your range. Then make a website for your services and go to social networking sites online to get the word out. Similar ideas can be used if you’d like to be a TV/Film Producer. Make sure you set up a Youtube or Vimeo account. Buy a Flip camera, at the least, and start creating and sharing.

Production Resources

If production still sounds like your cup of tea, here are a few things you should do to get started.